Ruth Wakeland

We are very sad to announce the passing of Ruth Ann (Hyatt) Wakeland of Long Grove, Iowa. She passed away peacefully with her husband and children by her side on December 13, 2022 at the age of 83.

A celebration of life will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Chambers Funeral Home in Eldridge, Iowa.  Her family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the services on Saturday at the funeral home.  Burial will take place at a later date at Peniel Cemetery in Joy, Illinois.  Memorials may be made to the family, the Long Grove Volunteer Fire Department or to Long Grove Christian Church.

Ruth was born on March 8, 1939 to parents Alice Mae and Wayne Hyatt in Mercer County, Illinois. She married Roger (Gov) Wakeland on July 30, 1957 in Joy, Illinois. They had 2 children together Randy and Ronda. As a family, they lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico during Roger’s (Gov) time in the Air Force before settling in Long Grove on a farm, and eventually moving to Long Grove. Ruth worked several jobs, but none that she loved more than caring for people in their homes.

She and Roger (Gov) traveled with their many friends and family all over the world, including in an old school bus that they renovated with all the comforts of home. She loved Las Vegas and gambling.  She even won sometimes, she said.  She never missed an opportunity to go on trips with family and friends, even if she snored like a banshee and kept them awake all night.  She loved going out to eat, telling stories, and laughing.  She was a jokester, always making the time to pull a prank on someone to make them laugh!  She said some of her fondest memories were of going to Joy with family and friends to eat, play cards, and laugh.  Ruth was a member of the Red Hatters club, many card clubs, and her ladies club, affectionately known as “The Bitches”.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents as well as her sister Peggy Carrington, and her brother Jack Hyatt.

Those left to cherish her memory and carry on her love for laughter include: her loving husband of 65 years, Roger (Gov) Wakeland; her son, Randy (Allison Allgaier) Wakeland of Mount Vernon, Illinois; her daughter, Ronda (Gary) Anderson of Port Byron, Illinois; six grandchildren, Michelle (Brandon) Duncan, Robert Wakeland, Andrea (Andy) Wolfe, Brady Wakeland, Alex Wakeland and Andy (Hailee) Anderson; and twelve great-grandchildren, Peyton, Callen, Oliver, Emerson, Tyler, Glory, Brayve, Haven, Noble, Aislynn and Riverleigh.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Ruth’s obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.